How to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

How to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

Port Barton is located approximately 125 kilometres northeast of Puerto Princesa via Puerto Princesa North Road. There are three common ways to visit this charming little village. You can ride one of the passenger vans which can get you to Port Barton in just about 3 hours for roughly PHP400 to PHP550. Or, you can get on a bus for PHP300 and get there in about 4 hours. The slowest but possibly the most exciting way is to take one of the jeepneys that will get you to Port Barton in roughly 6 to 7 hours for the same amount you would spend for a bus ticket.

There are basically three main transportation companies that operate the Puerto Princesa-to-Port Barton route. They are SBE for buses, jeepneys, and vans and Recaro and Lexxus Shuttle for van services. All of these companies operate from the San Jose Bus Terminal which is about 15 minutes away from the airport. You can easily get there by tricycle for around PHP120 or you can take a multicab for PHP12 once you get to the Junction.

Bus from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

There is only one SBE bus a day between the two destinations. It leaves at 8.45 am so if you are planning to catch it, make sure to be at the terminal at least half an hour prior to its scheduled departure. It is a non air-conditioned bus and it can get you to Port Barton in just 4 hours for only PHP250.

Van from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

Shuttle vans ply the same route more frequently. All the vans are air-conditioned, though leg space is limited.

Recaro vans depart daily from the same terminal at 7.30am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm. The earliest Lexxus van leaves at 7.30am followed by other trips at 9.30am and 2.30pm with the last van departing at 5 pm. Meanwhile, SBE vans leave for Port Barton at 8am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 4pm. Tickets cost anywhere between PHP400 and PHP550. If you need to arrange your pick up from the airport, ask at your hotel – most probably they will be able to arrange it for about PHP500 per person.

Jeepney from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

Last but not least, more adventurous types can opt to ride a jeepney all the way to Port Barton. It may be dusty, bumpy and uncomfortable especially during hot summer days but hey, it's all part of the experience. The fare is PHP250 and travel time should be around 6 hours.

General notes

One thing to note is that during lean seasons, some of the trips may be cancelled or delayed without prior notice.

The Recaro bus that leaves at 8.45am is actually more reliable and it is your best bet if you are traveling on a tight schedule.

Also, exercise extra caution with individuals approaching you at the terminal and offering to put you in a van that leaves outside of the schedule indicated above. They definitely won’t tell you that the van may actually be bound for El Nido. This means they will simply drop you off at the San Jose Junction which is about 23 kilometres from Port Barton. It will leave you stranded and forced to wait for another bus or van to complete your journey.

As for the road condition, it's a lot better now compared to the previous years but the road just outside Port Barton is still unpaved so it might be a bit bumpy.

We also recommend stocking up on munchies before leaving Puerto Princesa. Otherwise, you can grab a quick bite halfway to Port Barton when your bus or van stops for a quick break.

How to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

How to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

Port Barton is located approximately 125 kilometres northeast of Puerto Princesa via Puerto Princesa North Road. There are three common ways to visit this charming little village. You can ride one of the passenger vans which can get you to Port Barton in just about 3 hours for roughly PHP400 to PHP550. Or, you can get on a bus for PHP300 and get there in about 4 hours. The slowest but possibly the most exciting way is to take one of the jeepneys that will get you to Port Barton in roughly 6 to 7 hours for the same amount you would spend for a bus ticket.

There are basically three main transportation companies that operate the Puerto Princesa-to-Port Barton route. They are SBE for buses, jeepneys, and vans and Recaro and Lexxus Shuttle for van services. All of these companies operate from the San Jose Bus Terminal which is about 15 minutes away from the airport. You can easily get there by tricycle for around PHP120 or you can take a multicab for PHP12 once you get to the Junction.

Bus from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

There is only one SBE bus a day between the two destinations. It leaves at 8.45 am so if you are planning to catch it, make sure to be at the terminal at least half an hour prior to its scheduled departure. It is a non air-conditioned bus and it can get you to Port Barton in just 4 hours for only PHP250.

Van from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

Shuttle vans ply the same route more frequently. All the vans are air-conditioned, though leg space is limited.

Recaro vans depart daily from the same terminal at 7.30am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm. The earliest Lexxus van leaves at 7.30am followed by other trips at 9.30am and 2.30pm with the last van departing at 5 pm. Meanwhile, SBE vans leave for Port Barton at 8am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, and 4pm. Tickets cost anywhere between PHP400 and PHP550. If you need to arrange your pick up from the airport, ask at your hotel – most probably they will be able to arrange it for about PHP500 per person.

Jeepney from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

Last but not least, more adventurous types can opt to ride a jeepney all the way to Port Barton. It may be dusty, bumpy and uncomfortable especially during hot summer days but hey, it's all part of the experience. The fare is PHP250 and travel time should be around 6 hours.

General notes

One thing to note is that during lean seasons, some of the trips may be cancelled or delayed without prior notice.

The Recaro bus that leaves at 8.45am is actually more reliable and it is your best bet if you are traveling on a tight schedule.

Also, exercise extra caution with individuals approaching you at the terminal and offering to put you in a van that leaves outside of the schedule indicated above. They definitely won’t tell you that the van may actually be bound for El Nido. This means they will simply drop you off at the San Jose Junction which is about 23 kilometres from Port Barton. It will leave you stranded and forced to wait for another bus or van to complete your journey.

As for the road condition, it's a lot better now compared to the previous years but the road just outside Port Barton is still unpaved so it might be a bit bumpy.

We also recommend stocking up on munchies before leaving Puerto Princesa. Otherwise, you can grab a quick bite halfway to Port Barton when your bus or van stops for a quick break.